Performed by: Brainstorm Music by: Reynard Cowper Lyrics by: Reynard Cowper Language: English Placing: 3rd (136 points) Other versions: Latvian "My Star" was the Latvian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000, performed in English by Brainstorm. This was Latvia's debut entry, making them the last of the Baltic states to debut at the Contest. The song is compared by at least one author on the Contest to the work of Oasis, in that it is a pop song written in something close to the britpop style. Lyrically, the song deals with lead singer Renārs Kaupers (who wrote and composed the song under the pseudonym Reynard Cowper) and his feelings for his lover. He tells her that "I will follow my star till the end of my days/And my heart's gonna lead me through so many ways" before asking her to "be my runaway-bride". The band's performance is also memorable. Kaupers danced in a relatively eccentric manner, provoking cheers from the audience. In late 2005, as part of his hosting duties at the Congratulations special, he was asked about his dancing abilities by co-host Katrina Leskanich. Kaupers' response that he danced very well prompted further cheers from the live audience as well as a repeat of his moves. The song was performed twenty-first on the night, following Finland's Nina Åström with "A Little Bit" and preceding Turkey's Pınar Ayhan & The SOS with "Yorgunum anla". At the close of voting, it had received 136 points, placing 3rd in a field of 24. Kaupers would later characterise this result as "we were beaten by two brothers", a joking reference to Denmark's Olsen Brothers, who won that year with Fly on the Wings of Love. The song has become something of a fan favourite in Contest history, appearing on the CD and DVD compilations produced to coincide with the "Congratulations" special. It was succeeded as Latvian representative at the 2001 Contest by Arnis Mednis with Too Much. Renars Kaupers, the lead singer of the band, graduated from University of Latvia in 1996 with a degree in journalism. He can speak at least three languages with fluency: English, Latvian, and Russian. Kaupers' ancestors were probably Baron Friedrich von Stuart from Courland (1761–1842) and Immanuel Kant's niece Henrietta Kant. He is the lead singer of the Latvian pop/rock band Brainstorm, which came third at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with their song "My Star". In 2001, Renārs received the Latvian Film Prize as the best actor for his role in The Mystery of the Old Parish House. He hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 in Riga, Latvia, with co-host Marija Naumova (stage name Marie N), and also hosted Congratulations, the Eurovision 50th anniversary concert in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Katrina Leskanich. Kaupers' sons Edgars and Emīls run the indie-pop group Carnival Youth. Lyrics: My star My friends gonna call me: "Hey dreamer, the stars you are watching are so far" Tonight, I know, I will get there by plane or by bus - right to my star Pretend there are things you just don't know in spite someone's told you are so cute You have to ask and I will show the snow in the summer or so, so If my star would fall or disappear at all I will follow my star till the end of my days And my heart's gonna lead me through so many ways And if you're gonna join me, I'll be your guide Baby, never say never, be my runaway-bride My friends gonna tell me: "Just calm down, the clouds you are walking are so high" This is my chance, and I'll invite all the dreamers and lovers to fly, fly I'm back from the future, life goes on, but still, I remember my promise You have to ask and I will show the snow in the summer or so, so If my star would fall or disappear at all I will follow my star till the end of my days And my heart's gonna lead me through so many ways And if you're gonna join me, I'll be your guide Baby, never say never, be my runaway-bride, yeah My runaway-bride, hey hey hey... hey yeah... If my star would fall or disappear at all I will follow my star till the end of my days And my heart's gonna lead me through so many ways And if you're gonna join me, I'll be your guide Baby, never say never, be my runaway-bride Ah... hey... my runaway...

• published: 07 Oct 2021
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